Communication apparatus and communication method

ABSTRACT

A hybrid terminal of a mobile phone and a digital broadcast receiver allows calling on the mobile phone while at the same time receiving a digital broadcast itself even in the event of receiving a call while at the same time receiving the digital broadcast. Upon receiving a call while at the same time receiving a digital broadcast, a telephone RF unit  113  sends a receive invent to an event analysis processing unit  112 . The event analysis processing unit  112  makes a request to a program information processing unit  104  for displaying the caption, and at the same time makes a request to an audio path switching control unit  109  for switching the audio path to the output side of a telephone audio processing unit  114 . The program information processing unit  104  makes a multiplexed transmission separating unit  103  separate the caption and a caption/data broadcast processing unit  105  decodes separated caption data. A display superimposing unit  108  superimposes a decoded caption output onto a decoded video output, and a display output unit  110  displays it. When the user presses a call start/end button  116 , a call start event is sent to the event analysis processing unit  112 , and the event analysis processing unit  112  makes a call request to a telephone RF unit so as to start a call. When the user presses the call start/end button  116  to end the call, the event analysis processing unit  112  makes a call end request to the telephone RF unit  113  so as to end the call. The event analysis processing unit  112  at the same time makes a request to the audio path switching control unit  109  for switching the audio path to the side of a digital broadcast audio processing  107  so as to switch the audio path. The event analysis processing unit  112  also makes a request to the program information processing unit  104  for ending the separation of the caption so as to end the separation of the caption.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is a divisional of and claims the benefit of priorityunder 35 USC §120 from U.S. Ser. No. 10/501,918, filed Jul. 27, 2004,which is based upon and claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC §371from PCT/JP02/02974, filed Mar. 27, 2002 the entire contents of which isincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a communication apparatus incorporatinga telephone function and a digital broadcast receiving function, and acommunication method of transmitting/receiving telephone audio data andreceiving a digital broadcast.

BACKGROUND ART

Rapid growth of mobile phones results greatly from the fact that theyare equipped not only with the original telephone function but also withother functions such as the WEB browser function and the email function.Mobile phones are still now evolving with additional functions such asthe Java application function and the video phone function.

Japan has already launched Digital Satellite Broadcasting services suchas CS (Communication Satellite) and BS (Broadcasting Satellite), andscheduled to launch digitalized broadcasting services also forground-based broadcasting in 2003. Terminals for receiving ground-baseddigitalized broadcasting have been developed to include even a mobileterminal for local reception, and thus preparations have been carriedout for the start of the services.

Future mobile phones are projected to include functions for receivingdigitalized broadcasts as well as the WEB browser function and the emailfunction. At present, however, there seems to exist no prior art in thefield of problems that the present invention is directed to solving.

Now, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 6-165073 will now becited as a related art reference.

FIG. 8 shows the block diagram of the reference. According to thisinvention, when a mute button is pressed by a remote control transmitter9 or a keyboard 8 attached to the body, muting is activated, and at thesame time a caption decoder ON/OFF control unit 10 turns on a captiondecoder 3 to display multiplexed caption data via a display processingunit 5.

While muted and the caption decoder is on, on the other hand, when ademute button is pressed by the remote control transmitter 9 or thekeyboard 8 attached to the body, demuting is activated and at the sametime the caption decoder ON/OFF control unit 10 turns off the captiondecoder 3 so that video is displayed alone via the display processingunit 5.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 6-165073 is directed tomuting and displaying caption data, but not to implementing otherfunctions.

With a projected future integration of a mobile phone and a digitalbroadcasting receiver, it may be assumed that a call is received orotherwise requested while a digital broadcast program is received.

Furthermore, the display of a future hybrid terminal of a mobile phoneand a digital broadcast receiver can be anticipated small in size. Thismay pose a problem of conspicuousness with a constant caption display.

The present invention is directed to allowing calling on the phone“while” receiving a digital broadcast, and minimizing the period ofcaption display of a digital broadcast.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A communication apparatus according to the present invention ischaracterized by including:

a multiplexed data receiving unit for receiving multiplexed data atleast including audio data;

an extracting unit for extracting the audio data from the multiplexeddata;

a telephone unit for transmitting/receiving telephone audio data;

an audio output unit for inputting one of extracted audio data that wasextracted by the extracting unit and received telephone audio data thatwas received by the telephone unit, and outputting one of the extractedaudio data inputted and the received telephone audio data inputted;

a switching control unit for switching an input to the audio output unitbetween the extracted audio data and the received telephone audio data;and

an instructing unit for detecting a receive event generation, a sendevent generation, and an end event generation, and giving a prescribedinstruction to the telephone unit, the extracting unit, and theswitching control unit.

Then, the instructing unit, in the case of detecting one of the receiveevent generation and the send event generation while the multiplexeddata is received by the multiplexed data receiving unit, transmits atelephone audio data transmission/reception start instruction to thetelephone unit to start transmitting/receiving the telephone audio data,transmits an audio data extraction stop instruction to the extractingunit to stop extracting the audio data, and transmits a receivedtelephone audio data switch instruction to the switching control unit toswitch to the received telephone audio data, and in the case ofdetecting the end event generation while the multiplexed data isreceived by the multiplexed data receiving unit, transmits a telephoneaudio data transmission/reception stop instruction to the telephone unitto stop transmitting/receiving the telephone audio data, transmits anaudio data extraction start instruction to the extracting unit to startextracting the audio data, and transmits an extracted audio data switchinstruction to the switching control unit to switch to the extractedaudio data.

Then, the telephone unit, in the case of receiving the telephone audiodata transmission/reception start instruction from the instructing unit,starts transmitting/receiving the telephone audio data, and in the caseof receiving the telephone audio data transmission/reception stopinstruction from the instructing unit, stops transmitting/receiving thetelephone audio data.

Then, the extracting unit, in the case of receiving the audio dataextraction stop instruction from the instructing unit, stops extractingthe audio data, and in the case of receiving the audio data extractionstart instruction, starts extracting the audio data.

Then, the switching control unit, in the case of receiving the receivedtelephone audio data switch instruction from the instructing unit,switches the input to the audio output unit to the received telephoneaudio data, and in the case of receiving the extracted audio data switchinstruction from the instructing unit, switches the input to the audiooutput unit to the extracted audio data.

The multiplexed data receiving unit is characterized by receivingmultiplexed data including video data and text data.

Then, the extracting unit is characterized by extracting the video datafrom the multiplexed data, and also extracts the text data in aprescribed case.

Then, the communication apparatus is characterized by further includinga display output unit for outputting extracted video data that wasextracted by the extracting unit, and for outputting extracted text datain the case where the text data was extracted by the extracting unit.

Then, the instructing unit is characterized by transmitting a text dataextraction start instruction to the extracting unit to start extractingthe text data in the case of detecting one of the receive eventgeneration and the send event generation while the multiplexed data isreceived by the multiplexed data receiving unit, and transmitting a textdata extraction stop instruction to the extracting unit to stopextracting the text data in the case of detecting the end eventgeneration while the multiplexed data is received by the multiplexeddata receiving unit.

Then, the extracting unit is characterized by starting extracting thetext data in the case of receiving the text data extraction startinstruction from the instructing unit, and stopping extracting the textdata in the case of receiving the text data extraction stop instructionfrom the instructing unit.

The audio output unit is characterized by being an amplified audiooutput unit for amplifying volume of and then outputting one of theextracted audio data inputted and the received telephone audio datainputted and outputting.

Then, the communication apparatus is characterized by further including:

a ear audio output unit for outputting the received telephone audio datain a prescribed case; and

an amplified audio ear audio selecting unit for selecting one of theamplified audio output unit and the ear audio output unit, and makingthe one of the amplified audio output unit and the ear audio output unitoutput the received telephone audio data based on a selected result.

Then, the instructing unit is characterized by transmitting an amplifiedaudio select instruction to the amplified audio ear audio selecting unitto select the amplified audio output unit in the case of detecting oneof the receive event generation and the send event generation while themultiplexed data is received by the multiplexed data receiving unit.

Then, the amplified audio ear audio selecting unit is characterized byselecting the amplified audio output unit in the case of receiving theamplified audio select instruction from the instructing unit, and makingthe amplified audio output unit output the received telephone audiodata.

The communication apparatus is characterized by further including:

a multiplexed data reception start time managing unit, for managing timefor the multiplexed data receiving unit to start receiving themultiplexed data as multiplexed data reception start time, transmittingwith an arrival of the multiplexed data reception start time amultiplexed data reception start instruction to the multiplexed datareceiving unit to start receiving the multiplexed data, and transmittinga multiplexed data reception start notification to the instructing unitof a start of receiving the multiplexed data by the multiplexed datareceiving unit.

Then, the multiplexed data receiving unit is characterized by startingreceiving the multiplexed data in the case of receiving the multiplexeddata reception start instruction from the multiplexed data receptionstart time managing unit.

Then, the instructing unit is characterized by judging whether thetelephone audio data is being transmitted/received by the telephone unitupon receiving the multiplexed data reception start notification fromthe multiplexed data reception start time managing unit, andtransmitting the audio data extraction stop instruction to theextracting unit in the case where the telephone audio data is beingtransmitted/received by the telephone unit, so that the instructing unitdoes not transmits the extracted audio data switch instruction to theswitching control unit.

The communication apparatus is characterized by further including:

a multiplexed data reception start time managing unit, for managing timefor the multiplexed data receiving unit to start receiving themultiplexed data as multiplexed data reception start time, transmittingwith an arrival of the multiplexed data reception start time amultiplexed data reception start instruction to the multiplexed datareceiving unit to start receiving the multiplexed data, and transmittinga multiplexed data reception start notification to the instructing unitof a start of receiving the multiplexed data by the multiplexed datareceiving unit.

Then, the multiplexed data receiving unit is characterized by startingreceiving the multiplexed data in the case of receiving the multiplexeddata reception start instruction from the multiplexed data receptionstart time managing unit.

Then, the instructing unit is characterized by judging whether thetelephone audio data is being transmitted/received by the telephone unitupon receiving the multiplexed data reception start notification fromthe multiplexed data reception start time managing unit, andtransmitting the text data extraction start instruction to theextracting unit in the case where the telephone audio data is beingtransmitted/received by the telephone unit.

The communication apparatus is characterized by further including:

a vibrator; and

a vibrator control unit for controlling the vibrator.

Then, the instructing unit is characterized by judging whether thetelephone audio data is being transmitted/received by the telephone unitin the case of receiving the multiplexed data reception startnotification from the multiplexed data reception start time managingunit, and transmitting a vibrator start instruction to the vibratorcontrol unit to start the vibrator in the case where the telephone audiodata is being transmitted/received by the telephone unit.

Then, the vibrator control unit is characterized by starting thevibrator in the case of receiving the vibrator start instruction fromthe instructing unit.

The communication apparatus is characterized by being a mobile typecommunication apparatus.

A communication method according to the present invention ischaracterized by including:

a multiplexed data receiving step for receiving multiplexed data atleast including audio data;

an extracting step for extracting the audio data from the multiplexeddata;

a telephone audio data transmitting/receiving step fortransmitting/receiving telephone audio data;

an audio output step for inputting one of extracted audio data that wasextracted by the extracting step and received telephone audio data thatwas received by the telephone audio data transmitting/receiving step,and outputting one of the extracted audio data inputted and the receivedtelephone audio data inputted;

a switching control step for switching an input to the audio output stepbetween the extracted audio data and the received telephone audio data;and

an instructing step for detecting a receive event generation, a sendevent generation, and an end event generation, and giving a prescribedinstruction to the telephone audio data transmitting/receiving step, theextracting step, and the switching control step.

Then, the instructing step, in the case of detecting one of the receiveevent generation and the send event generation while the multiplexeddata is received by the multiplexed data receiving step, gives atelephone audio data transmission/reception start instruction to thetelephone audio transmitting/receiving step to starttransmitting/receiving the telephone audio data, gives an audio dataextraction stop instruction to the extracting step to stop extractingthe audio data, and gives a received telephone audio data switchinstruction to the switching control step to switch to the receivedtelephone audio data, and in the case of detecting the end eventgeneration while the multiplexed data is received by the multiplexeddata receiving step, gives a telephone audio data transmission/receptionstop instruction to the telephone audio transmitting/receiving step tostop transmitting/receiving the telephone audio data, gives an audiodata extraction start instruction to the extracting step to startextracting the audio data, and gives an extracted audio data switchinstruction to the switching control step to switch to the extractedaudio data.

Then, the telephone audio transmitting/receiving step, in the case ofreceiving the telephone audio data transmission/reception startinstruction from the instructing step, starts transmitting/receiving thetelephone audio data, and in the case of receiving the telephone audiodata transmission/reception stop instruction from the instructing step,stops transmitting/receiving the telephone audio data.

Then, the extracting step, in the case of receiving the audio dataextraction stop instruction from the instructing step, stops extractingthe audio data, and in the case of receiving the audio data extractionstart instruction, starts extracting the audio data.

Then, the switching control step, in the case of receiving the receivedtelephone audio data switch instruction from the instructing step,switches the input to the audio output step to the received telephoneaudio data, and in the case of receiving the extracted audio data switchinstruction from the instructing step, switches the input to the audiooutput step to the extracted audio data.

The multiplexed data receiving step is characterized by receivingmultiplexed data including video data and text data.

Then, the extracting step is characterized by extracting the video datafrom the multiplexed data, and also extracting the text data in aprescribed case.

Then, the communication method is characterized by further including:

a display output step for outputting extracted video data that wasextracted by the extracting step, and in the case where the text datawas extracted by the extracting step, outputting extracted text datathat was extracted.

Then, the instructing step is characterized by giving a text dataextraction start instruction to the extracting step to start extractingthe text data in the case of detecting one of the receive eventgeneration and the send event generation while the multiplexed data isreceived by the multiplexed data receiving step, and giving a text dataextraction stop instruction to the extracting step to stop extractingthe text data in the case of detecting the end event generation whilethe multiplexed data is received by the multiplexed data receiving step.

Then, the extracting step is characterized by starting extracting thetext data in the case of receiving the text data extraction startinstruction from the instructing step, and stopping extracting the textdata in the case of receiving the text data extraction stop instructionfrom the instructing step.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a hybrid terminal of a mobile phone and adigital broadcast receiver according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a control flow for receiving a phonecall.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating events and states that are managed byan event analysis processing unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a hybrid terminal of a mobile phone and adigital broadcast receiver according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a hybrid terminal of a mobile phone and adigital broadcast receiver according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control flow for starting thereception of a digital broadcast.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a hybrid terminal of a mobile phone and adigital broadcast receiver according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows conventional art.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 shows a hybrid terminal for mobile phone and digital broadcastreception according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Withreferring to the figure, a reference numeral 101 denotes a digitalbroadcast tuner unit, a reference numeral 102 denotes a digitalbroadcast demodulating unit, a reference numeral 103 denotes amultiplexed transmission separating unit, a reference numeral 104denotes a program information processing unit, a reference numeral 105denotes a caption/data broadcast processing unit, a reference numeral106 denotes a digital broadcast video processing unit, a referencenumeral 107 denotes a digital broadcast audio processing unit, areference numeral 108 denotes a display superimposing unit, a referencenumeral 109 denotes an audio path switching control unit, a referencenumeral 110 denotes a display output unit, a reference numeral 111denotes an audio output unit, a reference numeral 112 denotes an eventanalysis processing unit, a reference numeral 113 denotes a telephone RFunit, a reference numeral 114 denotes a telephone audio processing unit,a reference numeral 115 denotes an audio input unit, a reference numeral116 denotes a call start/end button, a reference numeral 117 denotes aCPU, and a reference numeral 118 denotes a memory.

The digital broadcast tuner unit 101 receives a digital broadcast waveincluding video data, audio data, and caption data (text data)multiplexed. The digital broadcast tuner unit 101 is an example of amultiplexed data receiving unit, and the digital broadcast wave that thedigital broadcast tuner unit 101 receives is an example of multiplexeddata.

The digital broadcast demodulating unit 102 demodulates the digitalbroadcast wave received at the digital broadcast tuner unit 101.

The multiplexed transmission separating unit 103 separates a relevantstream or section data from the multiplexed data (extracting video data,audio data, etc.). This is well known art in digital broadcastprocessing, and therefore will not be elaborated here. The multiplexedtransmission separating unit 103 stops separating digital broadcastaudio data and starts separating caption data in a prescribed case. Itis to be noted that the multiplexed transmission separating unit 103 isan example of an extracting unit. Also, video data separated by themultiplexed transmission separating unit 103 corresponds to extractedvideo data, audio data separated by the multiplexed transmissionseparating unit 103 corresponds to extracted audio data, and captiondata separated by the multiplexed transmission separating unit 103corresponds to extracted text data.

The program information processing unit 104 can judge the presence orabsence of monomedia, such as video data, audio data, and caption data(text data) that are multiplexed in a broadcast program, and a databroadcast, and know the separation information thereof based on incomingprogram information carried by the digital broadcast wave. This is wellknown art in digital broadcast processing, and therefore will not beelaborated here. Also, the program information processing unit 104 givesinstructions with reference to program information to the multiplexedtransmission separating unit 103 to stop separating the audio data of adigital broadcast, and to start separating caption data if the digitalbroadcast includes the caption data. In the absence of caption data, theprogram information processing unit 104 gives instructions only to stopseparating the audio data of a digital broadcast and perform muting.

It is to be noted that the program information processing unit 104, aswell as the event analysis processing unit 112 which is described later,corresponds to an example of an instructing unit.

The caption/data broadcast processing unit 105 performs data processingrequired for displaying caption data and various types of other data(such as decoding caption data).

The digital broadcast video processing unit 106 performs data processingrequired for displaying video data (such as decoding video data).

The digital broadcast audio processing unit 107 performs data processingrequired for outputting audio data (such as decoding audio data). Also,it mutes audio data in a prescribed case.

The display superimposing unit 108 has the function of superimposingvideo data onto different video data, or superimposing caption data ontovideo data. Also, it displays superimposed video data or caption data onthe display output unit 110. This is well known art in digital broadcastprocessing, and therefore will not be elaborated here.

The display output unit 110 displays data superimposed by the displaysuperimposing unit 108.

The audio path switching control unit 109 switches the audio path (inputto the audio output unit 111) to the telephone side or the digitalbroadcast audio side, and makes audio output through the audio outputunit 111. It is to be noted that the audio path switching control unit109 is an example of a switching control unit.

The audio output unit 111 outputs telephone audio data from thetelephone audio processing unit 114 when the audio path is on thetelephone side, and outputs audio data from the digital broadcast audioprocessing unit 107 when the audio path is on the digital broadcastaudio side.

The event analysis processing unit 112 gives instructions to the programinformation processing unit 104 to mute a digital broadcast and displaycaption data, upon receiving or transmitting a call while the user iswatching and listening to the digital broadcast. Also, the eventanalysis processing unit 112 at the same time gives instructions to theaudio path switching control unit 109 to switch the audio path to theoutput side of the telephone audio processing unit. Also, when the userends a call while at the same time receiving a digital broadcast, theevent analysis processing unit 112 gives instructions to the programinformation processing unit 104 to restore the audio data of the digitalbroadcast and delete the caption data. Still also, the event analysisprocessing unit 112 gives instructions to the audio path switchingcontrol unit 109 to switch the audio path to the output side of thedigital broadcast audio processing unit 107.

It is to be noted that a combination of the event analysis processingunit 112 and the program information processing unit 104 corresponds toan instructing unit.

The telephone RF unit 113, the telephone audio processing unit 114, theaudio input unit 115 and the call start/end button 116 are componentsfor implementing the telephone function and correspond to a telephoneunit if combined.

Also, the hybrid terminal according to this embodiment is an example ofa communication apparatus.

An operation will now be discussed.

Firstly, a description will be given of the case of receiving a callwhile the user is watching and listening to a digital broadcast program.

This case includes the situation that a digital broadcast wave is beingreceived by the digital broadcast tuner unit 101, the separationprocessing of video data and audio data is being performed in themultiplexed transmission separating unit 103, video data is beingoutputted from the display output unit 110, and audio data is beingoutputted from the audio output unit 111. Meanwhile, the audio path isset on the side of the digital broadcast audio by the audio pathswitching control unit 109.

Upon receiving a call while the user is watching and listening to adigital broadcast program, the telephone RF unit 113 sends a receiveevent to the event analysis processing unit 112.

The event analysis processing unit 112 detects the receive event andgives instructions to the program information processing unit 104 tomute the digital broadcast audio and display the caption data. At thesame time, the event analysis processing unit 112 transmits aninstruction message (received telephone audio data switch instruction)to the audio path switching control unit 109, instructing to switch theaudio path to the output side of the telephone audio processing unit114.

The program information processing unit 104 transmits an instructionmessage to the multiplexed transmission separating unit 103 withreference to the program information. More specifically, the programinformation processing unit 104 transmits an instruction message to stopseparating the audio data of the digital broadcast (audio dataextraction stop instruction). In the case of having caption data, theprogram information processing unit 104 transmits an instruction messageto start separating the caption data (text data extraction startinstruction). Without having caption data, it instructs to stopseparating the audio data of the digital broadcast only.

The multiplexed transmission separating unit 103 stops separating theaudio data of the digital broadcast and starts separating the captiondata. The digital broadcast audio processing unit 107 performs mutingand the caption/data broadcast processing unit 105 decodes the captiondata.

The display superimposing unit 108 superimposes the caption data ontothe video data and displays it on the display output unit 110.

In the meantime, the audio path switching control unit 109 switches theaudio path to the telephone side.

When the user presses the call start/end button 116, the event analysisprocessing unit 112 receives a call start event and transmits aninstruction message (telephone audio data transmission/reception startinstruction) to the telephone RF unit 113, indicating to starttransmitting/receiving telephone audio data, so as to make a call start.

The same process is applicable to the case where the user makes a phonecall while watching and listening a digital broadcast program.

More particularly, when the user presses the call start/end button 116,the event analysis processing unit 112 detects a send event, andinstructs the program information processing unit 104 to mute thedigital broadcast audio and display the caption data. At the same time,the event analysis processing unit 112 transmits an instruction message(received telephone audio data switch instruction) to the audio pathswitching control unit 109 to switch the audio path to the output sideof the telephone audio processing unit 114.

Then, the program information processing unit 104, with reference to theprogram information, transmits to the multiplexed transmissionseparating unit 103 an instruction message (audio data extraction stopinstruction) to stop separating the audio data of the digital broadcast,and an instruction message (text data extraction start instruction) tostart separating the caption data with the presence of the caption data.The multiplexed transmission separating unit 103 stops separating theaudio data of the digital broadcast and starts separating the captiondata. The digital broadcast audio processing unit 107 starts muting andthe caption/data broadcast processing unit 105 starts decoding thecaption data.

The display superimposing unit 108 superimposes the caption data ontothe video data, and displays it on the display output unit 110.

In the meantime, the audio path switching control unit 109 switches theaudio path to the telephone side.

Also, in the meantime, the event analysis processing unit 112 transmitsan instruction message (telephone audio data transmission/receptionstart instruction) to the telephone RF unit 113 to starttransmitting/receiving telephone audio data so as to make a call start.

An operation will be discussed of the case where the user ends a call.

It is to be noted that this case includes the situation that a digitalbroadcast wave is being received by the digital broadcast tuner unit101, and the separation of video data and caption data is in process inthe multiplexed transmission separating unit 103, whereas the separationof audio data is stopped, and the video data and the caption data arebeing outputted from the display output unit 110. In the meantime,telephone audio data is being transmitted/received through the telephoneRF unit 113, the telephone audio processing unit 114, and the audioinput unit 115, and telephone audio data is being outputted from theaudio output unit 111. Also, in the meantime, the audio path is set onthe telephone side by the audio path switching control unit 109.

When the user presses the call start/end button 116, the event analysisprocessing unit 112 detects an end event, and transmits an instructionmessage (telephone audio data transmission/reception stop instruction)to the telephone RF unit 113 so as to make the call end.

If a dialoguer (the other party) ends the call first, then the telephoneRF unit 113 gives the end event to the event analysis processing unit112.

Also, the event analysis processing unit 112 at the same time instructsthe program information processing unit 104 to start separating theaudio data of the digital broadcast (digital broadcast audio return) andstop separating the caption data (caption deletion). Still also, theevent analysis processing unit 112 transmits an instruction message(extracted audio data switch instruction) to the audio path switchingcontrol unit 109 to switch the audio path to the output side of thedigital broadcast audio processing unit 107.

The program information processing unit 104 transmits an instructionmessage (audio data extraction start instruction and text dataextraction stop instruction) to the multiplexed transmission separatingunit 103, instructing to start separating the audio data of the digitalbroadcast and stop separating the caption data.

The multiplexed transmission separating unit 103 starts separating theaudio data of the digital broadcast and stop separating the captiondata, and the digital broadcast audio processing unit 107 startsdecoding the audio and the caption/data broadcast processing unit 105stops decoding the caption data.

As a result, the display superimposing unit 108 displays video dataoutputted from the digital broadcast video processing unit 106 alone onthe display output unit 110.

The audio path switching control unit 109, upon receiving theinstruction message from the event analysis processing unit 112,switches the audio path to the digital broadcast audio side and makesthe audio data of the digital broadcast output from the audio outputunit 111.

FIG. 2 shows a flow of an internal operation of the hybrid terminal uponreceiving/transmitting a call. FIG. 3 shows an example of events/statesthat the event analysis processing unit handles. FIG. 3( a) includes thestates to be managed by the event analysis processing unit. FIG. 3( b)includes events to be managed by the event analysis processing unit.

The thus configured hybrid terminal of a mobile phone and a digitalbroadcast receiver allows providing the user with calling and receivinga digital broadcast upon receiving/transmitting a call while at the sametime receiving the digital broadcast. In addition, this hybrid terminal,being thus designed to displaying caption data only while the phone isused, allows reducing the period of displaying caption data on a smallscreen.

Embodiment 2

FIG. 4 shows a hybrid terminal of a mobile phone equipped with a handsfree function and a digital broadcast receiver according to a secondembodiment of the present invention. With referring to the figure, areference numeral 101 denotes a digital broadcast tuner unit, areference numeral 102 denotes a digital broadcast demodulating unit, areference numeral 103 denotes a multiplexed transmission separatingunit, a reference numeral 104 denotes a program information processingunit, a reference numeral 105 denotes a caption/data broadcastprocessing unit, a reference numeral 106 denotes a digital broadcastvideo processing unit, a reference numeral 107 denotes a digitalbroadcast audio processing unit, a reference numeral 108 denotes adisplay superimposing unit, a reference numeral 109 denotes an audiopath switching control unit, a reference numeral 110 denotes a displayoutput unit, a reference numeral 111 denotes an audio output unit, areference numeral 112 denotes an event analysis processing unit, areference numeral 113 denotes a telephone RF unit, a reference numeral114 denotes a telephone audio processing unit, a reference numeral 115denotes an audio input unit, a reference numeral 116 denotes a callstart/end button, a reference numeral 117 denotes a CPU, a referencenumeral 118 denotes a memory, a reference numeral 201 denotes a handsfree control unit, a reference numeral 202 denotes an amplified audiooutput unit, and a reference numeral 203 denotes a ear audio outputunit.

The amplified audio output unit 202 is to output the telephone audiodata of the mobile phone in the hands free mode and the audio data of adigital broadcast. The ear audio output unit 203 is to output thetelephone audio data of the mobile phone in the normal mode.

The hands free control unit 201 provides on/off control of the handsfree function. The hands free function is well known art of mobilephone, and therefore will not be elaborated here. It is to be noted thatthe hands free control unit 201 is an example of an amplified audio earaudio selecting unit.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the audio path is switched to thetelephone side by the event analysis processing unit 112 uponreceiving/transmitting a mobile phone call while at the same timereceiving a digital broadcast. In this case, however, the event analysisprocessing unit 112 makes a request to the hands free control unit 201for turning on the hands free mode (transmitting an amplified audioselection instruction), and the hands free control unit 201 turns on thehands free mode (selecting an amplified audio output unit.) It is to benoted that the other parts of processing is the same as those discussedin the first embodiment.

The thus configured hybrid terminal of a mobile phone and a digitalbroadcast receiver, being designed to automatically select the handsfree mode upon receiving a call while at the same time receiving adigital broadcast, allows a pleasant call on the mobile phone while atthe same time receiving a digital broadcast.

Embodiment 3

FIG. 5 shows a hybrid terminal of a mobile phone capable of presettingreception of programs and a digital broadcast receiver according to athird embodiment of the present invention. With referring to the figure,a reference numeral 101 denotes a digital broadcast tuner unit, areference numeral 102 denotes a digital broadcast demodulating unit, areference numeral 103 denotes a multiplexed transmission separatingunit, a reference numeral 104 denotes a program information processingunit, a reference numeral 105 denotes a caption/data broadcastprocessing unit, a reference numeral 106 denotes a digital broadcastvideo processing unit, a reference numeral 107 denotes a digitalbroadcast audio processing unit, a reference numeral 108 denotes adisplay superimposing unit, a reference numeral 109 denotes an audiopath switching control unit, a reference numeral 110 denotes a displayoutput unit, a reference numeral 111 denotes an audio output unit, areference numeral 112 denotes an event analysis processing unit, areference numeral 113 denotes a telephone RF unit, a reference numeral114 denotes a telephone audio processing unit, a reference numeral 115denotes an audio input unit, a reference numeral 116 denotes a callstart/end button, a reference numeral 117 denotes a CPU, a referencenumeral 118 denotes a memory, and a reference numeral 301 denotes areception preset processing unit.

The reception preset processing unit 301 analyzes the schedule of aprogram based on program information that is transmitted via a digitalbroadcast wave, and presets the program for reception. This is wellknown art in digital broadcast processing, and therefore will not beelaborated here. It is to be noted that the reception preset processingunit 301 is a multiplexed data reception start time managing unit.

According to the third embodiment of the present invention, when apreset program for reception starts via a preset function of thereception preset processing unit 301, the reception preset processingunit 301 instructs the digital broadcast tuner unit 101 to start areception (transmitting a multiplexed data reception start instruction),and at the same time gives a reception start event to the event analysisprocessing unit 112 (transmitting a multiplexed data reception startnotification). The event analysis processing unit 112 judges whether ornot the user is on the telephone, and in other words judges whether ornot telephone audio data is being transmitted/received.

When the user is on the telephone (telephone audio data is beingtransmitted/received), the event analysis processing unit 112 instructsthe program information processing unit 104 to mute the digitalbroadcast audio and display the caption data. Also, the event analysisprocessing unit 112, without instructing the audio path switchingcontrol unit 109 to switch the audio path, keeps the audio path on thetelephone side. It is to be noted that the other parts of processing isthe same as those discussed in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a control flow upon starting to receive a digitalbroadcast.

It is desirable that the hands free mode is selected for calling asdiscussed in the second embodiment.

The thus configured hybrid terminal of a mobile phone and a digitalbroadcast receiver allows using the mobile phone while at the same timereceiving a digital broadcast, even if a digital broadcast programpreset for reception started while using the phone.

Embodiment 4

FIG. 7 shows a hybrid terminal of a mobile phone capable of presettingreception of programs and a digital broadcast receiver according to afourth embodiment of the present invention. With referring to thefigure, a reference numeral 101 denotes a digital broadcast tuner unit,a reference numeral 102 denotes a digital broadcast demodulating unit, areference numeral 103 denotes a multiplexed transmission separatingunit, a reference numeral 104 denotes a program information processingunit, a reference numeral 105 denotes a caption/data broadcastprocessing unit, a reference numeral 106 denotes a digital broadcastvideo processing unit, a reference numeral 107 denotes a digitalbroadcast audio processing unit, a reference numeral 108 denotes adisplay superimposing unit, a reference numeral 109 denotes an audiopath switching control unit, a reference numeral 110 denotes a displayoutput unit, a reference numeral 111 denotes an audio output unit, areference numeral 112 denotes an event analysis processing unit, areference numeral 113 denotes a telephone RF unit, a reference numeral114 denotes a telephone audio processing unit, a reference numeral 115denotes an audio input unit, a reference numeral 116 denotes a callstart/end button, a reference numeral 117 denotes a CPU, a referencenumeral 118 denotes a memory, a reference numeral 301 denotes areception preset processing unit, a reference numeral 401 denotes avibrator control unit, and a reference numeral 402 denotes a vibrator.

The vibrator control unit 401 and the vibrator 402 are used forinforming of the reception of a mobile phone call as well. This is wellknown art, and therefore will not be elaborated here.

According to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, when aprogram preset for reception starts via the preset function of thereception preset processing unit 301, the event analysis processing unit112 receives a reception start event, and judges whether or not the useris on the telephone.

When the user is on the telephone, an instruction message (vibratorstart instruction) is transmitted to the vibrator control unit 401,instructing to turn on the vibrator, and the vibrator control unit 401makes the vibrator 402 start.

The same operations as those of the first embodiment of the presentinvention follow subsequently.

The thus configured hybrid terminal of a mobile phone and a digitalbroadcast receiver allows the user on the phone to know the start of aprogram preset for reception easily by applying the vibrator, which isdesigned originally for notifying of the reception of a mobile phonecall, to the start notification of a program preset for reception aswell.

It is desirable that the hands free mode is selected for calling asdiscussed in the second embodiment.

With reference to the first to fourth embodiments, descriptions weregiven of the hybrid terminal of a mobile phone and a digital broadcastreceiver as an example. Alternatively, however, the mechanisms discussedin the first to fourth embodiments are also applicable to a hybridterminal of a wired fixed telephone and a digital broadcast receiver.

Further with reference to the first to fourth embodiments, descriptionswere given of the hybrid terminal receiving digital broadcasts as anexample. Alternatively, however, the mechanism discussed in the first tofourth embodiments is also applicable to a hybrid terminal receivinganalog broadcasts.

Still further with reference to the first to fourth embodiments,descriptions were given of the communication apparatus according to thisinvention as an example. Alternatively, however, a communication methodmay also be implemented according to this invention based on theprocessing procedures discussed in the first to fourth embodiments.

Now, the characteristics of the hybrid terminal discussed in the firstto fourth embodiment will be reiterated below.

The hybrid terminal discussed in the first to fourth embodiments ischaracterized by including the tuner unit for receiving a digitalbroadcast, the digital broadcast demodulating unit for demodulating thedigital broadcast, the multiplexed transmission separating unit forseparating multiplexed transmission data, the program informationprocessing unit for analyzing the program information, instructing thedigital broadcast tuner unit to select a station and instructing themultiplexed transmission separating unit to carry out the separation,the caption/data broadcast processing unit for decoding a caption databroadcast separated by the multiplexed transmission separating unit, thedigital broadcast video processing unit for decoding a video broadcastalso separated by the multiplexed transmission separating unit, thedigital broadcast audio processing unit for decoding digital broadcastaudio separated alike by the multiplexed transmission separating unit,the display superimposing unit for superimposing the caption/databroadcast onto the video broadcast, the telephone RF unit for carryingout telephone wireless processing, the telephone audio processing unitfor processing telephone audio, the event analysis processing unit foranalyzing/processing the receive/send event of a call, the audio pathswitching control unit for switching between the digital broadcast audiooutput and the telephone audio output, and the audio output unit.

Then, the hybrid terminal is characterized by switching the audio pathto the telephone side, displaying a caption, and allowing calling, inthe case of receiving a call while at the same time receiving a digitalbroadcast, and in the case where the call is finished, switching theaudio path to the digital broadcast audio side, deleting the caption,and displaying the digital broadcast video alone.

The hybrid terminal discussed in the first embodiment is characterizedin that, upon receiving a call while at the same time receiving adigital broadcast, the event analysis processing unit makes a request tothe program information processing unit for displaying the captionseparated and stopping separating the digital broadcast audio/muting,and the event analysis processing unit also makes a request to the audiopath switching control unit for switching the audio path, so that thecaption display and the audio path are switched.

The hybrid terminal discussed in the first embodiment is characterizedin that, upon transmitting a call while at the same time receiving adigital broadcast, the event analysis processing unit makes a request tothe program broadcast processing unit for displaying the caption, andthe event analysis processing unit also makes a request to the audiopath switching control unit for switching the audio path, so that thecaption display and the audio path are switched.

The hybrid terminal discussed in the second embodiment is characterizedby adding the hands free control unit, muting and displaying the captionupon receiving a call while at the same time receiving a digitalbroadcast, and switching at the same time to the hands free mode.

The hybrid terminal discussed in the third embodiment is characterizedby adding the reception preset processing unit, and also characterizedin that the program information processing unit outputs the captioninstead of the audio when a program preset for reception starts whilethe phone is used at the same time.

The hybrid terminal discussed in the fourth embodiment is characterizedby adding the vibrator control unit and the vibrator, and alsocharacterized in that, when a program preset for reception starts whilethe user is on the telephone at the same time, the start of the programis notified to the user via the vibrator, and the program informationprocessing unit outputs the caption instead of the audio.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Thus, according to the present invention, in the case where the receiveevent or the send event is generated while the multiplexed data isreceived, the audio output is switched so that the received telephoneaudio data is outputted, and in the case where the end event isgenerated while the multiplexed data is received, the audio output isswitched so that the extracted audio data is outputted. Hence, bothreceiving/outputting the multiplexed data and calling may beimplemented.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, in the case where thereceive event or the send event is generated while the multiplexed datais received, the extracted text data is started to be displayed, and inthe case where the end event is generated while the multiplexed data isreceived, the extracted text data is stopped being displayed. Hence, theperiod of displaying text data may be minimized.

Still further according to the present invention, in the case where thereceive event or the send event is generated while the multiplexed datais received, the amplified audio is outputted. Hence, bothreceiving/outputting the multiplexed data and calling may be implementedwith hands free.

Still further according to the present invention, when telephone audiois being transmitted/received at the multiplexed data reception starttime, switching to the extracted audio data is not performed. Hence,both receiving/outputting the multiplexed data and calling may beimplemented even in the event that the reception is started of themultiplexed data while the phone is used at the same time.

Still further according to the present invention, when telephone audiodata is being transmitted/received at the multiplexed data receptionstart time, the vibrator is started. Hence, the start of receiving themultiplexed data may be notified via the vibrator even in the event thatthe reception is started of the multiplexed data while the phone is usedat the same time.

1-9. (canceled)
 10. A communication apparatus comprising: a multiplexeddata receiving unit that receives multiplexed data including at leastaudio data; an extracting unit that extracts the audio data from themultiplexed data received by the multiplexed data receiving unit; atelephone unit that transmits/receives telephone audio data; and anaudio output unit that outputs at least one of the audio data extractedby the extracting unit and the telephone audio data received by thetelephone unit, wherein the telephone unit continues to transmit/receivethe telephone audio data when an occurrence of an initiating event ofthe multiplexed data receiving unit receiving the multiplexed data isdetected while the telephone audio data is being received by thetelephone unit, wherein the audio output unit outputs the telephoneaudio data when the occurrence of the initiating event is detected whilethe telephone audio data is being received by the telephone unit, andwherein the multiplexed data receiving unit initiates receiving themultiplexed data when the occurrence of the initiating event is detectedwhile the telephone audio data is being received by the telephone unit.11. The communication apparatus according to claim 10, furthercomprising: a display output unit, wherein the multiplexed data includesat least one of video data and text data, wherein the extracting unitfurther extracts one of the video data and the text data from themultiplexed data received by the multiplexed data receiving unit, andwherein the display output unit outputs at least one of the video dataand the text data when the occurrence of the initiating event isdetected while the telephone audio data is being transmitted/received bythe telephone unit.
 12. The communication apparatus according to claim10, wherein the audio output unit includes an ear audio output unit thatoutputs the telephone audio data with a normal sound and an amplifiedaudio output unit that amplifies sound of one of the audio data and thetelephone audio data and outputs amplified sound, and wherein theamplified audio output unit outputs the telephone audio data when theoccurrence of the initiating event is detected while the telephone audiodata is being transmitted/received by the telephone unit.
 13. Thecommunication apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising: avibrator, wherein the vibrator vibrates when the occurrence of theinitiating event is detected while the telephone audio data is beingtransmitted/received by the telephone unit.
 14. The communicationapparatus according to claim 10, wherein the multiplexed data receivingunit continues to receive the multiplexed data when an occurrence of anend event is detected while the multiplexed data is being received bythe multiplexed data receiving unit, and wherein the audio output unitoutputs the audio data when the occurrence of the end event is detectedwhile the multiplexed data is being received by the multiplexed datareceiving unit.
 15. The communication apparatus according to claim 11,wherein the multiplexed data receiving unit continues to receive themultiplexed data when an occurrence of an end event is detected whilethe multiplexed data is being received by the multiplexed data receivingunit, and wherein the display output unit outputs the video data, anddoes not output the text data, when the occurrence of the end event isdetected while the multiplexed data is being received by the multiplexeddata receiving unit.